Phoenix AZ vs Schenectady NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 28,542 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 42.3 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 6.8% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 7.8% | 3.1% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.0% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 4.7% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 38.6% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.3% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.9% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX